[ click on any image below to see larger version ]
Family: Rubiaceae (Madder family)
Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - May
Cleavers is known by a variety of common names, mostly because of its sticky nature, including:
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• Bedstraw
• Bobby buttons • Catchweed • Cleavers • Clivers • (Small) Goosegrass • Grip grass • Hitchhikers |
• Robin-run-the-hedge
• Stickeljack • Stickyback • Sticky bob • Stickybud • Sticky grass • Stickyjack |
• Sticky molly
• Stickyweed • Sticky willow • Sticky willy • Sweetheart • Velcro plant • Whippysticks |
Its fruit is an adhesive burr that clings to animals passing by to spread its seed.
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13 April 2023
Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA 
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20 April 2025
Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (note fine hooked hairs all over) 
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19 April 2025
Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, VA 
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19 April 2025
Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, VA 
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13 April 2023
Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA 
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20 April 2025
Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA 
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20 April 2025
Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA (note hooked barbs on developing fruit) 
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